the British inhabitants at the Concular Ports pay something towards the support of
Colony, which is the Residence of the chief Superintendent, under whose general control the whole Trade between the British Empire and China, is conducted.--
5.
In the 7th Paragraph a desire is expressed that the Petitioners should have a share in the real administration of the affairs of the Colony by some system of municipal Government too. I confess I am at a loss to understand clearly what is
the only really required by this sentence as the real tax to which British subjects directly contribute is that collected under Ordinance
122 of 1845 -1845 and is entirely for
Police purposes. At present I estimate that the expenses on
Salaries and Wages..
3,607.200 481.15,0 Compensation, 193. 4.0 for Rations Saccount of the Police Forces independently of Clothing the Jails, feeding of Prisoners and other incidental charges of a similar nature
4,282,0
with amount this year amount
257 to £4,282.14.8 the amount of the tax levied for this purpose
the Petitioners being £2,500. I do not understand therefore what is to be gained by having a voice in the expenditure of this sum; but nevertheless I see no reason whatever, should the inhabitants generally approve of it and competent persons be found willing and able to take the management, why the collection and disbursements of these
fund and indeed the general Superintendent of the Police should not be entrusted to them - it being understood that they collect the funds under the ordinance and disburse the amount for Police purposes as to them may seem fit, the Government being released from further payment on this account...
b.
They also desire that some code should be drawn up for the
more convenient